Manchester United as a club have made some very appalling decisions in the transfer market in recent years. The Red Devils have grossly overpaid to sign players, offered them huge contracts on significantly high wages and then struggled to move them on when they have eventually failed to deliver.
The worst part of all this that doesn’t hold the club in good light is that many of the players who have struggled at Old Trafford have moved on elsewhere and resurrected their careers in tremendous fashion. It almost feels like Man Utd are cursed at this point.
One of the signings that has best showcased Man Utd’s ill-advised transfer business in recent years is when Erik ten Hag went over and beyond to sign Antony from Ajax. The Brazilian attacker has had a torrid time at Old Trafford and looked clueless for the most parts.
Last season, in January, Ruben Amorim decided to loan out the ex-Ajax winger to help him gain some confidence. Antony moved to Real Betis in La Liga where he played like a man possessed and along with Isco, led the team to the finals of the Conference League where they lost out to Chelsea.
Now, as per Caught Offside, the Brazilian is moving closer to Old Trafford exit. Manchester United have reduced their asking price and are willing to take a huge cut on the fee that they initially paid to move on Antony this summer.
Real Betis continue to push to sign him, and are willing to pay a loan fee with a provision to buy at the end of the season.
The report mentions that Man Utd, who initially wanted £43.1m, are now looking at somewhere close to £30.1million to part ways with the Brazilian this summer.
Despite his scintillating form in the second half of last season, it is clear that it is best for both parties to make a clean break and start fresh this summer.
From Antony’s time at Betis, one thing is clear. The talent he possesses is in abundance. However, the pressure of wearing the Red Devils jersey where there are a million sets of eyeballs focussing on every single mistake that he makes seems to have not allowed the Brazilian to flourish.
Even apart from Betis, there is a lot of interest in the Brazilian from other European clubs. Thus, it makes sense for Man Utd to move him on this summer, albeit at a cut-price fee. The next few weeks could be crucial in Antony’s future at Old Trafford. Let’s wait and see how it plays out.
